April 11, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

1 Samuel 13 - The opportunity for Saul to make a great impact on Israel's history was short-lived.  His physical height is outdistanced by the "height" of his ego.  He took credit for attacking a Philistine garrison even though it was his son, Jonathan, who did it.  When the Philistines came to attack Israel, Saul didn't trust the Lord for His help, and thus, did not give any encouragement to his people.  He was impatient for Samuel to offer a sacrifice to God, so he offered it himself, which was in direct violation of the law.  Having done so, he was rebuked by Samuel and then he was presented with the fact that God was going to look for someone who was "after God's own heart."  That someone would be David.  You'll see that in chapter 16.

1 Samuel 14 - "Like father, like son" does not apply to Saul and Jonathan.  Though Jonathan and Saul were fighters, Jonathan showed greater courage in battle than his father did.  When faced with a garrison of Philistines, Jonathan believed God "didn't need a lot to do a lot."  (See verse 6).  God brought about a great victory for Israel through Jonathan's example and then the people of Israel had to save Jonathan from being killed by his own father.  Read and find out what happens.